Holiday Shopping Event Supports Local Causes

Holiday Shopping Event Supports Local Causes

The International Agri-Center will host Merry Madness, a holiday shopping event from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 3rd in Tulare, California. The event will bring vendors and holiday buyers together for a day of shopping and entertainment that will also support local causes.

With the donation of a new unwrapped toy or canned food items, Merry Madness attendees will receive a discount on their admission tickets. Canned food items will be donated to FoodLink for Tulare County and toys will be donated to the Tulare area Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. In addition, the International Agri-Center has teamed with Pena's Disposal Service to collect recyclables during the shopping event. Money collected from the recyclables will help provide a hot holiday meal, food baskets and Christmas gifts to the Crossroads Kids Christmas Angel program.

"We're asking vendors and attendees to help support the less-fortunate in our community by donating toys or canned foods at Merry Madness," said Katy Young, event coordinator. "The organizations we're working with have expressed a need for additional support during the holiday season, and we're happy to help!"

Proceeds from the event will benefit the International Agri-Center's AgVentures! Learning Center. AgVentures! is a popular destination for thousands of local students. The learning center is full of professionally designed exhibits that allow visitors to learn about agriculture in a fun, hands-on environment.

"We host thousands of students each year for school tours at AgVentures!," said Kerissa Chapman, AgVentures! coordinator. "Events like Merry Madness allow us to continue the good work of the learning center by helping us maintain the most current exhibits that create a great learning environment for our visitors."

In addition to holiday shopping, the event will include a fashion show, holiday cocktails, entertainment and "AgVentures! in Toyland" kiddie area. Local vendors will have women's clothing and accessories, children's toys, household items and gifts for the whole family. Vendors include: POSH, Gold Canyon, Premier Design High Fashion Jewelry, Royal Rabbit, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Marianna's Classy Boutique.

Tickets may be purchased for $7 at the door, or at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 South Laspina Street in Tulare. For more information, contact Events@farmshow.org or 559-688-1030.